Laser Treatmentshttp://www.businessinsider.com/category/laser-treatments
en-usMon, 19 Mar 2018 23:00:00 -0400Mon, 19 Mar 2018 23:00:00 -0400The latest news on Laser Treatments from Business Insiderhttp://static3.businessinsider.com/assets/images/bilogo-250x36-wide-rev.pngBusiness Insiderhttp://www.businessinsider.com
http://www.businessinsider.com/woman-painful-acne-treatment-pixel-2017-11'I could literally smell my skin burning': A personal trainer reveals her painful experience with an acne treatment she'd gladly do againhttp://www.businessinsider.com/woman-painful-acne-treatment-pixel-2017-11
Thu, 16 Nov 2017 11:53:46 -0500Daniel Boan
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5a0dc6d4ec1ade7c9a50dde3-1200/acne redo.jpg" alt="acne redo" data-mce-source="Maeve Madden" data-link="https://www.instagram.com/maeve_madden/?hl=en" /></p><p></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Personal trainer and Instagram star Maeve Madden was left in pain after getting the Pixel laser treatment to help clear up her acne.</strong></li>
<li><strong>She said her skin&nbsp;was&nbsp;burning,&nbsp;and felt&nbsp;like it was on fire both during and after the procedure.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Her experience seems to be rare, as dermatologists say it should be a relatively pain-free process.&nbsp;</strong></li>
<li><strong>However, after&nbsp;seeing the results of the treatment, Madden said she'd gladly deal with the pain again.</strong></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Dealing with&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thisisinsider.com/category/acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">acne</a> is never easy, though a number of new surgeries and cosmetic procedures can&nbsp;help speed up the process for those willing to deal with the expenses and possible pain.</p>
<p>One such&nbsp;solution is <a href="http://www.dermsd.com/fractionalskin.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pixel</a>, a laser treatment&nbsp;that is meant to resurface&nbsp;skin cells as a means to treat acne scarring, sun damage, fine lines, and other skin issues. The lasers create tiny wounds on the face&nbsp;which then stimulate collagen production to smooth out and tighten the skin.</p>
<p>The treatment <a href="https://www.realself.com/Pixel-Laser/cost/New-York/New-York" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">costs about $500 on average</a>, and is often advertised&nbsp;to come&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dermsd.com/fractionalskin.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">with minimal&nbsp;discomfort and recovery time</a>, but 29-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/maeve_madden/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">personal trainer and Instagram star Maeve Madden</a> had a different experience.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"<span>I could feel small pin pricks as the laser lit up across my face," Madden told INSIDER while describing the procedure. "I began to get a little agitated as smoke started to rise and I could literally smell my skin burning."</span></p>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5a0dc6d4ec1ade7c9a50dde5-1202/madden.jpg" alt="madden" data-mce-source="Maeve Madden" /></p>
<p><span>However, the&nbsp;doctor assured her the feeling was normal. Once the procedure was over, the pain still continued as Madden made her way home.</span></p>
<p><span>"15 minutes after the procedure my face turned a deep purple, and began to heat up," she said. "By the time I got home I was in total agony and my face was burning, it felt like I was on fire."</span></p>
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5a0dc6d4ec1ade7c9a50dde6-1202/maeve recovery.jpg" alt="maeve recovery" data-mce-source="Maeve Madden" /></p>
<p><span>The uncomfortable&nbsp;burning feeling continued for 24 hours before cooling down. By the fourth day, her&nbsp;skin started to heal and scab as it&nbsp;gradually peeled off.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>Her experience seems to be rare, as dermatologists say it should be a relatively pain-free process.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"There is usually some discomfort afterwards during the recovery," dermatologist <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0ahUKEwisofX9qsHXAhUP3YMKHfimBnsQFggpMAA&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rebeccakleinermanmd.com%2F&amp;usg=AOvVaw0mVDEviaVOQlMAf3pu57m7" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rebecca&nbsp;Kleinerman</a> told INSIDER. "But [there] shouldn't be intense pain afterwards."</p>
<p>Kleinerman also told us there is substantial wound care post procedure, such as topical ointments and vinegar soaks, but she still thinks&nbsp;the laser facial&nbsp;is one of the&nbsp;most effective treatments available. "These lasers are among the best for treating severe acne scarring and deep wrinkles," she said.</p>
<p><span>Though&nbsp;Madden had a slightly difficult time with the procedure,&nbsp;she is still&nbsp;looking forward to her next treatment after seeing the results.&nbsp;</span><span>"I will have another one in five weeks for sure," Madden&nbsp;told INSIDER. "E</span>veryone can't believe how clear and glowy my complexion is, I do not even need to use concealer."</p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5a0dc6d4ec1ade7c9a50dde7-1202/maeve madden.jpg" alt="maeve madden" data-mce-source="Maeve Madden" /></p>
<p><span>Madden says the treatment has cleared up 70% of her scarring and pigmentation issues after just one session. Those results are enough to outweigh the pain she felt, especially if it means avoiding the "major insecurities"&nbsp;she faced while dealing with her breakouts.</span></p>
<p><span>"I have been battling hormonal acne due to my polycystic ovary syndrome for years," she said. "I felt that it really knocked my confidence and who I was as a person.&nbsp;I felt so shy talking to people while constantly covering my mouth, even makeup wouldn't cover it as the acne was so cystic and painful."</span></p>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5a0dc6d5ec1ade7c9a50dde8-1202/maeve.jpg" alt="maeve" data-mce-source="Maeve Madden" /></p>
<p>Though Madden says that her "<span>imperfections are the reality of who" she is, she still recommends the procedure for anyone who is struggling with the self-esteem issues&nbsp;that can come with having acne.</span></p>
<p>"<span>I couldn't recommend it enough," she told INSIDER. "I can't wait to do it again, the pain was worth it."</span></p>
<p><span><em>Sign up&nbsp;</em><a href="http://e.businessinsider.com/join/insider-social-first"><em>here</em></a><em>&nbsp;to get&nbsp;INSIDER's favorite stories straight to your inbox.</em></span></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/woman-painful-acne-treatment-pixel-2017-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dermatologist-what-causes-acne-how-prevent-it-2016-11">A dermatologist explains what causes acne and how you can prevent it</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/how-tattoos-are-removed-2017-7How tattoos are removedhttp://www.businessinsider.com/how-tattoos-are-removed-2017-7
Fri, 14 Jul 2017 15:50:57 -0400Caroline Aghajanian
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-tattoos-are-removed-2017-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/i-got-a-laser-facial-like-a-celebrity-and-it-transformed-my-face-2017-4I got a laser facial in Miami like a celebrity and it transformed my facehttp://www.businessinsider.com/i-got-a-laser-facial-like-a-celebrity-and-it-transformed-my-face-2017-4
Thu, 20 Apr 2017 10:14:13 -0400Amanda Richards
<p><strong><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/58f8c2bcdd0895d2668b4a67-1024/20172f42f62fe8fd7f7e-35e6-4507-9f39-0be1a46ad746.jpg" alt="laser treatment" data-mce-source="Amanda Richard/Bustle" data-link="https://www.bustle.com/p/i-got-a-laser-facial-in-miami-like-a-celebrity-goddess-heres-everything-i-learned-43745">The INSIDER Sumary:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>A 31-year-old beauty editor went to Miami to try a laser treatment from Vivid Face Medical Spa.&nbsp;</strong></li>
<li><strong>The treatment&nbsp;<span>focuses on stimulating collagen, restoring luminosity, and clearing and tightening the pores.</span></strong></li>
</ul>
<hr>
<p>Don't mind me, it's not a big deal: Just spent a weekend casually flying down to Miami to receive an innovative laser treatment from <a href="http://vividface.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vivid Face Medical Spa</a>. In my mind, the occasion basically makes me Beyonce.</p>
<p>In reality, I'm a 31-year-old beauty editor, in search of the best treatments and breakthroughs to rectify what I consider my skin's biggest issues: Enlarged pores, bumpy texture, and redness. Of course, I don't normally get to fly to the Magic City to do it — that's just a perk of the job. Have skin care, will travel.</p>
<p>The treatment offered to me by Vivid Face is <a href="http://vividface.com/our-signature-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The VividFace Signature Treatment</a>. According to Vivid, it focuses on stimulating collagen, restoring luminosity, and clearing and tightening the pores. It clears the skin and reduces sun spots &amp; clarifies the complexion; smoothes the skin and reduces fine lines &amp; smoothes texture from pores or scarring; tightens the skin and reduces lax skin &amp; stimulates elastin to restore a firm youthful appearance.</p>
<p>All of that sounds amazing, right? So, what <em>is</em> it, exactly? According to VividFace's own Dr. Adam Gropper, it's a laser — but unlike any laser you've probably heard about before. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let me hit you with a pretty jaw-dropping before-and-after pic, the result of about a year's worth of monthly treatments like the one I received at Vivid.</p>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/58f8c2bcdd0895d2668b4a68-1143/undefined" alt="laser treatment" data-mce-source="Vivid Face Medical Spa" data-link="http://vividface.com/"></p>
<p>Pretty significant, right? Though a year might sound like a long time, the results of these lasers (and all laser treatments, in fact) are cumulative, which means that no matter what, you'll have to visit more than once to see actual results. Luckily, lasers like these are pretty affordable: Each session at Vivid costs less than $100. By comparison, traditional laser treatments (which I'll get into below) can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 dollars. Additionally, facials alone average from $100-$500, depending on your area and type of treatment. All of this is to say that as far as facials go, a monthly laser treatment that costs less than $100 is, in skin care terms, reasonable.</p>
<p>Of course, I couldn't personally spend a year in Miami receiving monthly facial treatments at Vivid Face, as much as I may have wanted to. The results of my singular treatment were small, but I noticed a difference when I got ready for the night after the treatment. On the left, you can see my skin by morning light on the beach, totally free from makeup. On the right, my skin about six hours after treatment, wearing no foundation but blush and highlighter. Observe:</p>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/58f8c2bcdd0895d2668b4a66-1280/undefined" alt="laser treatment" data-mce-source="Amanda Richards/Bustle" data-link="https://www.bustle.com/p/i-got-a-laser-facial-in-miami-like-a-celebrity-goddess-heres-everything-i-learned-43745"></p>
<p>That's right: No foundation, looking better in dim hotel room light than in the beautiful Miami sun. The smoothness is real, and though I think the difference after one treatment was minimal, it was enough to make me want to dig deeper into the world of intense light therapy for your skin.</p>
<p>There are dozens of varieties of cosmetic lasers, each one of them utilizing different waves lengths and methods of delivery. As far as the Vivid Face facial is concerned, well, it's a lot like other clinics in that the series of lasers is specific to the clinic (and therefore, the exact combination of lasers and light is kept under wraps).</p>
<p>"We use laser devices by Cutera and Cynosure," Dr. Gropper says, "As we have found their technology and designs to be the best on the market. The treatments are proprietary combinations of FDA approved laser, light and radio frequency devices. &nbsp;Through these treatments we are able to unleash your skin’s natural healing and regenerative abilities in a safe, painless and minimally invasive way."</p>
<p>When he says minimally invasive, he's underselling it a bit: This particular laser treatment has absolutely no down time, and no pain. I was nervous, coming into the procedure, that the sensation would be jarring. However, the best way to describe it is like someone is throwing little drops of sunshine on your face — there's heat, yes, but it's not uncomfortable in the slightest. You wear protective goggles to keep your eyes safe, and the whole process is pretty comfortable. Check me out.</p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/58f8c2bcdd0895d2668b4a69-913/undefined" alt="laser treatment" data-mce-source="Amanda Richards/Bustle" data-link="https://www.bustle.com/p/i-got-a-laser-facial-in-miami-like-a-celebrity-goddess-heres-everything-i-learned-43745"></p>
<p>Yes, I'm choosing to ignore the fact that I like a human thumb in this photo, because looking weird is pretty much the worst part about the experience — there was no discomfort, pain, or recuperation time. Considering how lasers have changed and developed over the years, that's pretty important. It hasn't always been a walk in the park — and in fact, a lot of laser treatments still come with some pretty severe side effects.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.ucsfhealth.org/treatments/ablative_laser_resurfacing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ablative lasers</a>, for example, create tiny wounds on the outer layer of the skin. By contrast, <a href="https://www.asds.net/Non-ablative-Laser-Rejuvenation-Info/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-ablative lasers</a> bypass the outer layer of the skin and penetrate the tissue below. Naturally, ablative lasers require more recovery time than non-ablative — the former takes anywhere from three to 10 days, while the latter takes a few hours to a few days. There are also <a href="https://www.realself.com/Fractional-laser/info" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fractional lasers</a>, <a href="http://dermatologytimes.modernmedicine.com/dermatology-times/news/modernmedicine/modern-medicine-now/alexandrite-laser-versatile-tool-variety-d?page=full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alexandrite lasers</a>, <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/laser_resurfacing/page2.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">erbium lasers</a>, <a href="http://www.skintour.com/lasers-radiofrequency-devices/laser-treatments/guide-to-ipl-photorejuvenation-laser/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IPL lasers</a>, <a href="http://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/pulsed-dye-laser-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pulsed dye lasers</a>, and more. If you want to dig a little deeper, publications like <a href="http://goop.com/a-guide-to-lasers-and-whats-right-for-your-skin/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goop</a> and <em><a href="http://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/skin-care/a11381/guide-to-skin-lasers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harper's Bazaar </a></em>have published some great guides to lasers to get you going.</p>
<p>Despite the wealth of information available on the internet, it's hard to know where to start — but based on my research and experience with Vivid Face, non-ablative lasers are a great way to explore the treatment without having to psych yourself up too much or shell out a ton of money. You don't have to go to Miami to do it, either. For example, <a href="https://www.skinlaundry.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Skin Laundry</a>, a chain in NYC, offers a 15 minute laser and light facial for $65. A quick Google search for laser clinics in your area is the best way to begin, and once you get a consultation, ask as many questions as your heart desires. If you need more guidance, here are my suggestions:</p>
<ul>
<li>How much does this laser treatment cost?</li>
<li>What kind of laser is used?</li>
<li>How much downtime will I have?</li>
<li>How many treatments will I need to achieve the results I want?</li>
</ul>
<p>There are plenty of options on the market, but armed with the right information and an arsenal of questions that you can unapologetically bestow upon your laser tech or doctor, you can find the one that's right for you. As for me, I'm looking forward to the next time I can visit the good people at Vivid Face in Miami, and until then, I'm going to enjoy my Beyonce-status skin smoothness and mentally transport myself to South Beach, bouncing in the club where the heat is on.<strong><span>&nbsp;</span></strong></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/i-got-a-laser-facial-like-a-celebrity-and-it-transformed-my-face-2017-4#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/journalist-vegas-tenold-investigated-neo-nazis-for-six-years-2018-3">Neo-Nazi groups let a journalist in their meetings and rallies — here's what he saw</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/what-happens-under-skin-during-yag-laser-tattoo-removal-2016-7See exactly what happens under your skin when you get a tattoo removedhttp://www.businessinsider.com/what-happens-under-skin-during-yag-laser-tattoo-removal-2016-7
Wed, 06 Jul 2016 08:34:43 -0400Claudia Romeo
<p><a href="http://lasertreatmentsuk.com/treatments/laser-tattoo-removal/tattoo-removal-faq/">Laser tattoo removal is done using a Yag laser, which is also used after cataract surgery.</a> When you get a tattoo removed, the laser makes it easier for your white blood cells to carry the ink away to your kidneys by breaking it into smaller parts.</p>
<p><em>Produced by <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/author/claudia-romeo">Claudia Romeo</a>. Special thanks to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/delano-samuels">Delano Samuels</a>&nbsp;and <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/author/jessica-orwig">Jessica Orwig</a>.</em></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-happens-under-skin-during-yag-laser-tattoo-removal-2016-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/how-laser-hair-removal-worksThis video shows how laser hair removal works — and it’s slightly terrifyinghttp://www.businessinsider.com/how-laser-hair-removal-works
Sun, 08 May 2016 09:00:00 -0400Ali Sundermier
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5727a55a52bcd028008c0434-3456-2592/3900607317_b6dc634235_o.jpg" alt="3900607317_b6dc634235_o" data-mce-source="Flickr/Dr. Braun" data-mce-caption="A doctor performing laser hair removal on a patient."></p><p>Laser hair removal is one of today's most <a href="http://www.webmd.com/beauty/hair-removal/laser-hair-removal">common cosmetic procedures</a>.</p>
<p>The treatment, which costs anywhere from $300 to $900 per session, depending on what part of you is getting treated, involves repeatedly blasting the skin with intense, ultra-fast laser pulses.</p>
<p>Unlike waxing or shaving, the goal of laser hair removal isn’t just to temporarily get rid of the hair. It’s to stop the growth of hair once and for all by destroying the germ cells in the hair follicle that produce it in the first place.</p>
<p>Derek Muller, who runs the YouTube science channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/1veritasium">Veritasium</a>, took a closer look at the process, sacrificing a few of his own hairs for the sake of science.</p>
<p>Watch a few of Muller's hairs get zapped by lasers in the zoomed-in video below. You can see his hair "puff up like a Cheeto" before crumbling apart:</p>
<p><div>
<iframe src="//giphy.com/embed/l4HoaUKG9RQMvDqGQ" width="800" height="441" frameborder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowfullscreen></iframe><p><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/l4HoaUKG9RQMvDqGQ">via GIPHY</a></p>
</div></p>
<h2>How it works</h2>
<p>Laser hair removal makes use of a pigment in our bodies called melanin. Melanin is what gives our skin, eyes, and hair their color. It also helps protect us from dangerous radiation from the sun. On a clear sunny day, for example, melanin in your skin will soak up the sun's harmful UV rays before they penetrate deeper into your body.</p>
<p>Melanin in hair does the same thing: It absorbs radiation — be it from the sun or, in this case, a tiny laser.</p>
<p>And unlike ordinary light, which is made up of different wavelengths, or colors, of light, a <a href="http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/laser/">laser beam</a> only contains one wavelength. These wavelengths travel in unison in the same direction, creating a very narrow beam of light that can be focused on a tiny spot. The result is a very concentrated, very powerful form of energy.</p>
<p>As the melanin in your hair sucks up the energy from the laser, it heats up to over 212 degrees Fahrenheit. As its water is vaporized, it burns and creates a teensy burst of smoke called a laser plume.</p>
<p><div>
<iframe src="//giphy.com/embed/l4HnKnr9GVt4fhZXq" width="800" height="436" frameborder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowfullscreen></iframe><p><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/l4HnKnr9GVt4fhZXq">via GIPHY</a></p>
</div></p>
<p>Although it seems counterintuitive to bombard your body with intense, concentrated beams of radiation, laser hair removal is safe — as long as it's done correctly. Just don't expect to get a full body laser bath in one sitting. Your body can only handle small doses of radiation at a time.</p>
<p>The treatment works best on those with light skin (which has low amounts of melanin) and dark hair (which has higher amounts of melanin); the melanin in the hair draws the radiation away from the skin.</p>
<h2><strong>Getting to the root of the problem</strong></h2>
<p>The goal of laser hair removal is, ultimately, to stop hair growth. To do that, the procedure has to do a little damage.</p>
<p>Once a cell hits temperatures approaching a sizzling 140 degrees Fahrenheit, it starts to fall apart. The hotter the temperature and the longer it’s maintained, the higher the chance the cell will die. Laser hair removal capitalizes on this. By damaging the germ cells in the follicle, it keeps the hair from growing altogether.</p>
<p>To keep the heat from spreading too far into the surrounding skin, the laser zaps the hair in a series of ultra short pulses. As the hair heats up, it damages the cells around it, but the laser turns off before the heat can spread too far or burn the skin. In Muller’s video, the procedure was done six pulses at a time, each pulse lasting 1.5 milliseconds.</p>
<p>This is also why people who undergo laser hair removal have to go more than once: To permanently damage the follicles producing the hair, you have to have it done roughly every <a href="http://www.livescience.com/9195-shining-light-pros-cons-laser-hair-removal.html">six to ten weeks</a>.</p>
<p>And, as always, beauty has its price. The process of shooting laser beams at your hair produces a brief flash of pain, sort of like what you might feel if someone snapped a rubber band against your skin.</p>
<p>Take a closer look at the process of laser hair removal in the Veritasium <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S20-1_XqVPM">video</a> below:</p>
<p><div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/S20-1_XqVPM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/laser-razor-raises-4-million-on-kickstarter-2015-10" >A futuristic razor that shaves hair with a laser has raised nearly $4 million on Kickstarter</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/laser-writes-on-human-hair-2015-3" >This laser etching on a human hair is mind-blowing</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-laser-hair-removal-works#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-hawking-yuri-milner-breakthrough-starshot-laser-spaceflight-space-alpha-centauri-2016-4">Stephen Hawking just announced a radical $100 million project for interstellar travel using lasers</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/how-laser-hair-removal-worksThis video shows how laser hair removal works — and it’s slightly terrifyinghttp://www.businessinsider.com/how-laser-hair-removal-works
Mon, 02 May 2016 15:39:00 -0400Ali Sundermier
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5727a55a52bcd028008c0434-3456-2592/3900607317_b6dc634235_o.jpg" alt="3900607317_b6dc634235_o" data-mce-source="Flickr/Dr. Braun" data-mce-caption="A doctor performing laser hair removal on a patient."></p><p>Laser hair removal is one of today's most <a href="http://www.webmd.com/beauty/hair-removal/laser-hair-removal">common cosmetic procedures</a>.</p>
<p>The treatment, which costs anywhere from $300 to $900 per session, depending on what part of you is getting treated, involves repeatedly blasting the skin with intense, ultra-fast laser pulses.</p>
<p>Unlike waxing or shaving, the goal of laser hair removal isn’t just to temporarily get rid of the hair. It’s to stop the growth of hair once and for all by destroying the germ cells in the hair follicle that produce it in the first place.</p>
<p>Derek Muller, who runs the YouTube science channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/1veritasium">Veritasium</a>, took a closer look at the process, sacrificing a few of his own hairs for the sake of science.</p>
<p>Watch a few of Muller's hairs get zapped by lasers in the zoomed-in video below. You can see his hair "puff up like a Cheeto" before crumbling apart:</p>
<p><div>
<iframe src="//giphy.com/embed/l4HoaUKG9RQMvDqGQ" width="800" height="441" frameborder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowfullscreen></iframe><p><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/l4HoaUKG9RQMvDqGQ">via GIPHY</a></p>
</div></p>
<h2>How it works</h2>
<p>Laser hair removal makes use of a pigment in our bodies called melanin. Melanin is what gives our skin, eyes, and hair their color. It also helps protect us from dangerous radiation from the sun. On a clear sunny day, for example, melanin in your skin will soak up the sun's harmful UV rays before they penetrate deeper into your body.</p>
<p>Melanin in hair does the same thing: It absorbs radiation — be it from the sun or, in this case, a tiny laser.</p>
<p>And unlike ordinary light, which is made up of different wavelengths, or colors, of light, a <a href="http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/laser/">laser beam</a> only contains one wavelength. These wavelengths travel in unison in the same direction, creating a very narrow beam of light that can be focused on a tiny spot. The result is a very concentrated, very powerful form of energy.</p>
<p>As the melanin in your hair sucks up the energy from the laser, it heats up to over 212 degrees Fahrenheit. As its water is vaporized, it burns and creates a teensy burst of smoke called a laser plume.</p>
<p><div>
<iframe src="//giphy.com/embed/l4HnKnr9GVt4fhZXq" width="800" height="436" frameborder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowfullscreen></iframe><p><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/l4HnKnr9GVt4fhZXq">via GIPHY</a></p>
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<p>Although it seems counterintuitive to bombard your body with intense, concentrated beams of radiation, laser hair removal is safe — as long as it's done correctly. Just don't expect to get a full body laser bath in one sitting. Your body can only handle small doses of radiation at a time.</p>
<p>The treatment works best on those with light skin (which has low amounts of melanin) and dark hair (which has higher amounts of melanin); the melanin in the hair draws the radiation away from the skin.</p>
<h2><strong>Getting to the root of the problem</strong></h2>
<p>The goal of laser hair removal is, ultimately, to stop hair growth. To do that, the procedure has to do a little damage.</p>
<p>Once a cell hits temperatures approaching a sizzling 140 degrees Fahrenheit, it starts to fall apart. The hotter the temperature and the longer it’s maintained, the higher the chance the cell will die. Laser hair removal capitalizes on this. By damaging the germ cells in the follicle, it keeps the hair from growing altogether.</p>
<p>To keep the heat from spreading too far into the surrounding skin, the laser zaps the hair in a series of ultra short pulses. As the hair heats up, it damages the cells around it, but the laser turns off before the heat can spread too far or burn the skin. In Muller’s video, the procedure was done six pulses at a time, each pulse lasting 1.5 milliseconds.</p>
<p>This is also why people who undergo laser hair removal have to go more than once: To permanently damage the follicles producing the hair, you have to have it done roughly every <a href="http://www.livescience.com/9195-shining-light-pros-cons-laser-hair-removal.html">six to ten weeks</a>.</p>
<p>And, as always, beauty has its price. The process of shooting laser beams at your hair produces a brief flash of pain, sort of like what you might feel if someone snapped a rubber band against your skin.</p>
<p>Take a closer look at the process of laser hair removal in the Veritasium <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S20-1_XqVPM">video</a> below:</p>
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/S20-1_XqVPM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/laser-razor-raises-4-million-on-kickstarter-2015-10" >A futuristic razor that shaves hair with a laser has raised nearly $4 million on Kickstarter</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/laser-writes-on-human-hair-2015-3" >This laser etching on a human hair is mind-blowing</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-laser-hair-removal-works#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-hawking-yuri-milner-breakthrough-starshot-laser-spaceflight-space-alpha-centauri-2016-4">Stephen Hawking just announced a radical $100 million project for interstellar travel using lasers</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/laser-stem-cell-tooth-tissue-regeneration-2014-5Scientists Can Regrow Teeth With Lasershttp://www.businessinsider.com/laser-stem-cell-tooth-tissue-regeneration-2014-5
Wed, 28 May 2014 17:36:00 -0400Kevin Loria
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5384d1d06bb3f7fa57dfdb95-800-/arany1hr.jpg" border="0" alt="arany1HR" width="800" /></p><p></p>
<p>Using lasers to regenerate and grow body parts sounds like science fiction, but researchers have just demonstrated that it might be a tranformative tool in medicine &mdash; or at least dentistry &mdash; in the future.</p>
<p>A Harvard-led team just successfully used low-powered lasers to activate stem cells and stimulate the growth of teeth in rats and human dental tissue in a lab. The results were <a href="http://stm.sciencemag.org/lookup/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.3008234" target="_blank">published today</a> in the journal Science Translational Medicine.</p>
<p>Stem cells exist throughout the body, and they fascinate scientists because they have the ability to become different types of cells &mdash; which means <a href="http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/pages/basics1.aspx" target="_blank">they have the potential to repair or replace</a> damaged or worn out tissue. Figuring out new ways to make them useful has long been a goal of medical researchers.</p>
<p>Using lasers to make stem cells do their work is particularly appealing, since it's a minimally invasive technique, only requiring light once the damaged area is exposed. Scientists have theorized in the past that this was possible, since lasers have been shown to stimulate growth for unknown reasons, but this is the first time that the process has been demonstrated and observed.</p>
<p>The ability to naturally regrow dental tissue could transform dentistry, making it possible to regrow teeth instead of replacing them with a substitute like porcelain. But even more amazingly, once it's better understood, <strong>this same technique could potentially be used to heal wounds and regenerate bone, skin, and muscle.</strong></p>
<p>The research is in its earliest stages and has not yet been tested on humans, so it's far too soon to say whether these futuristic techniques will ever make it to your local hospital. The treatment possibilities raised by these experiments, however, are exciting to contemplate.</p>
<h2>How it worked</h2>
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5384d216eab8ea6d76f4b401-651-602/arany2hr.jpg" border="0" alt="arany2HR" width="300" /></p>
<p>Since the 1960s, doctors have noticed that medical lasers could occasionally stimulate the growth of skin, hair, and other cells. But this is the first time, the researchers write, that the process has been analyzed and understood on a molecular level.</p>
<p>The first step for researchers was to drill holes in two rat molars, exposing the interior of the tooth underneath.</p>
<p>They exposed dentin, which is the harder-than-bone but softer-than-enamel tissue that teeth are mostly made of. Then, they lit up the dentin using a low-powered laser, trying to get the stem cells there to kick into action and start producing more dentin to replace the damaged area.</p>
<p>One molar received the laser treatment, the other did not.</p>
<p>Twelve weeks later, the researchers observed that the dentin in the molar that received treatment was growing again &mdash; the tooth was growing back.&nbsp;<span>(The results were the same when they did the experiment again in mice.)</span></p>
<p>The researchers then tested the same technique on various mammal cells under a microscope. Each time, the laser light caused certain oxygen-containing molecules to appear. Those molecules then caused stem cells to begin their conversion into cells producing dentin, tooth tissue. This showed researchers how lasers can cause tissue to regenerate, which they say had never been seen before.</p>
<p>When tested with human dental stem cells, the effects were similar. The lasers activated the stem cells, which can become many different types of cells, and specifically caused them to start forming dentin.</p>
<p>These three experiments were all focused on the same goal, which was to see if laser light would cause the stem cells in tissue (which had been inactive) to begin the process of generating new tissue. The rat molars showed that it was possible in a living example, while the mammal cells showed exactly how the lasers were working. Using human cells was a way of showing that what was done with rats has the potential to work the same way with human teeth, which the researchers say is the next step in their process.</p>
<h2>Why it's not ready for prime time yet</h2>
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/538602516bb3f712214e37df-400-350/73845_web.jpg" border="0" alt="Rat Human Tooth Size" width="400" /></p>
<p>One particular technical challenge of this experiment, according to researchers, was performing oral surgery on tiny rodent teeth. "This is one of those rare cases where it would be easier to do this work on a human," said David Mooney, a professor of bioengineering at Harvard, <a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/emb_releases/2014-05/wifb-rul052714.php" target="_blank">in the press release</a>.</p>
<p>New rat teeth didn't develop perfectly. There was some extra and unnecessary buildup of tooth tissue, which frequently <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3075986/" target="_blank">occurs naturally but can potentially</a> lead to painful conditions that need medical attention, including a root canal. However, researchers expect that in humans it would be possible to better cover up areas not being treated, since human teeth are larger. They say that they could more accurately activate certain growth areas without causing widespread tissue formation, but the process has not yet been tested.</p>
<p>The researchers say that they are currently developing human trials for this technique. If those are successful, this could lead to testing laser treatments that regenerate bone, muscle, and other cells throughout the body.</p>
<p>"We are also excited about expanding these observations to other regenerative applications with other types of stem cells," said Praveen Arany, the study's lead author and an assistant clinical investigator at the National Institutes of Health, in the <a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/emb_releases/2014-05/wifb-rul052714.php" target="_blank">news release</a>.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/scientists-restore-movement-to-paralyzed-hand-2014-5" >This Might Be The Cure For Paralysis</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/laser-stem-cell-tooth-tissue-regeneration-2014-5#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/how-lasers-remove-tattoos-2013-11How Lasers Remove Tattooshttp://www.businessinsider.com/how-lasers-remove-tattoos-2013-11
Fri, 01 Nov 2013 13:08:00 -0400Rodney Sinclair
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5273ddbcecad046f62b86b36-480-/owl-tattoo.jpg" border="0" alt="owl tattoo" width="480" /></p><p>You're probably familiar with how tattooing works: coloured ink is deposited via needles into the dermal layer of skin. But you're probably less familiar with the process for having it removed: laser therapy.</p>
<p>Lasers work by generating a beam of light of a specific frequency. The intensity of the beam can be varied, as can the frequency &mdash; which changes the colour of the laser &mdash; and the duration of the light pulse. The laser beam will release energy selectively when it hits a target of a specific colour.</p>
<p>Lasers are used to break down ink particles so that they can then be removed by the cells of the immune system. If the intensity of the laser energy is too high, there will be collateral damage to the surrounding skin that will produce a scar. If the intensity is too low the ink particles will not be disrupted.</p>
<p>The pulse duration is also important. When the tattoo pigment absorbs the laser energy it releases heat as the particle explodes. Rather than fire a single beam at the target, laser tattoo removal works best when multiple high-energy, millisecond or nanosecond pulses are fired repeatedly at the target. This allows any heat generated in the pigment explosion to dissipate before the next pulse hits. It reduces pain, and reduces scarring.</p>
<p>There are several different types of laser. Some lasers have a fixed frequency, while others are tuneable. Each will remove a different colour based on the frequency of light generated.</p>
<p>Person-to-person variation in skin colour and thickness and tattoo-to-tattoo variation in pigments, technique and depth mean it's impossible to predict how much laser is required to remove a particular tattoo. Trained operators err on the side of caution, preferring to under-treat the tattoo and risk the need to repeat the treatment rather than over-treat and risk causing permanent scarring.</p>
<p>Treatments are usually done without local anesthetic, and are said to be only marginally more painful than having the tattoo. Devices to cool the skin prior to laser treatment reduce the discomfort.</p>
<p>So, how long does it take?</p>
<p>Multi-coloured tattoos often require multiple lasers or a single laser with a tuneable frequency. Each treatment takes five to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the tattoo.</p>
<p>Following treatment, the skin will immediately whiten and swell; this may be followed by weeping of the skin a few hours later and the formation of a scab. This should heal after seven to ten days.</p>
<p>The pigment will slowly fade over three to six weeks as the fractured ink particles are removed by the cells of the immune system. Repeat treatments are usually spaced six or seven weeks apart.</p>
<p>Most tattoos require six to 12 treatments to fade. But it's important to note that complete tattoo removal without scarring is rare. There will usually be a subtle silhouette indicating where the tattoo once was.</p>
<p>The skin also contains coloured structures that also absorb laser light, so complications are possible. Pigment irregularity &mdash; where skin looks blotchy and uneven &mdash; is the most frequent complication, especially in people of colour.</p>
<p>Laser tattoo removal is best done in well-equipped centres with a range of laser devices that mirror the colour complexity of the tattoo and best performed by trained technicians who understand the complexity of laser science and skin biology. Those working alongside dermatologists or plastic surgeons are possibly best placed to do this type of medical procedure.</p>
<p><em>Read more on tattoo removal &mdash; <a href="https://theconversation.com/invisible-ink-the-rise-of-the-tattoo-removal-industry-19045">Invisible ink: the rise of the tattoo removal industry</a></em></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/biggest-most-energetic-laser-ever-fired-2012-7" >Scientists Just Fired The World's Biggest Laser</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-lasers-remove-tattoos-2013-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/think-twice-before-you-splurge-on-these-pricey-beauty-treatments-or-you-could-damage-your-natural-looks-2012-1Better Think Twice Before You Splurge On These Pricey Beauty Treatmentshttp://www.businessinsider.com/think-twice-before-you-splurge-on-these-pricey-beauty-treatments-or-you-could-damage-your-natural-looks-2012-1
Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:20:00 -0500Jill Krasny
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4f1f4d7b6bb3f7bc69000021/salon-manicure-nails-fake-hands.jpg" border="0" alt="salon-manicure-nails-fake-hands" /></p><p>Like beauty itself, beauty treatments are the stuff of dreams.</p>
<p>They promise va-va-voom lashes, frizz-free hair and flawless complexions.</p>
<p>But are they worth your money?</p>
<p>Not if you value your natural good looks&mdash;and your wallet.</p>
<p>We spoke to renown New York City dermatologist Bruce Kratz and <a href="http://www.totalbeauty.com/" target="_blank">Total Beauty</a>'s executive editor,&nbsp;Meghan Rabbit, to get the scoop on what trendy beauty services to reconsider if you're on a budget and love the "real" you.</p><h3>Gel manicures </h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/4f1f47ec6bb3f7b065000000-400-300/gel-manicures.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><strong>Cost: $30-$90, depending on your city and salon</strong></p>
<p>Gel manicures give the old-fashioned manicure a run for its money by lasting up to three weeks. In the past year, the market has "exploded" among women trying to cut down time at the salon.</p>
<p>But the fuss-free perks come at a price: ravaged nails and the risk of skin cancer, said Rabbit.</p>
<p>A gel manicure starts with a layer of base coat, then up to four layers of a whole lotta polish in between drying sessions under a UV heat lamp. If that last part raised your antenna, it should: Slather on some SPF hand cream.</p>
<p>To remove the teflon-like polish, you'll pay $10 to $25 to have a professional <em>scrape. it. off</em>. But that's not all&mdash;before the cringe-inducing scrape session, you'll be wrapping your digits in foil and soaking them in acetone to get them prepared.</p>
<p>"If you try to take off the polish, you could do some serious damage," warned Rabbit. "If it's done properly by a professional, your nails should be OK, but talk to a friend to get a referral before you get it done."</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>Lash dips</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4eb155786bb3f75821000037-400-300/lash-dips.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><strong>Cost: $120-$300</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>Lusting after Kim Kardashian's doll-like lashes?</p>
<p>Lancome mascara is one way to get them, but a lot of women are trying lash dips, a treatment that curls the lashes with a hot comb, then lacquers 'em up with a semi-permanent solution.</p>
<p>The result is Kim-like fringe that doesn't last very long. "That's a huge expense for two weeks of lashes," said Rabbit.</p>
<p>One Total Beauty editor tried the treatment and couldn't open her eyes the next morning when her top and bottom lashes got stuck to each other.</p>
<p>"She paid $300 not to open her eyes the next morning," said Rabbit, "and she felt that her lashes were thinner and weaker. It took a month for them to feel normal again."</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>Brazilian blowouts and Keratin hair smoothing treatments </h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/4f1f505669bedda96300000e-400-300/brazilian-blowouts-and-keratin-hair-smoothing-treatments.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><strong>Cost: $300-$500</strong></p>
<p>The promise: sleek, silky strands and less one-on-one time with your blowdryer.</p>
<p>The result: a fabulous coif for the first couple months, followed by years of lifeless locks.</p>
<p>"One reader told us her naturally curly hair became stick straight," said Rabbit, adding that others complained the treatment had turned their hair "flat" and "lifeless."</p>
<p>After the straightening product is applied, it's sealed with a hot iron to trap in the moisture and create a glossy finish. The smelly process came under fire last year when Oregon authorities cited several instances of nosebleeds, breathing problems and eye irritation, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/04/fashion/04SKIN.html" target="_blank">reported the Times</a>.</p>
<p>The Federal Drug Administration doesn't approve hair-straightening treatments, so there's no telling what's seeping into your scalp, much less your stylist's nostrils.</p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/think-twice-before-you-splurge-on-these-pricey-beauty-treatments-or-you-could-damage-your-natural-looks-2012-1#skin-laser-resurfacing-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a>